The condensed structural formula of ethyl acetate is CH₃COOCH₂CH₃.
Ethyl acetate, also known as ethyl ethanoate, is an ester with the molecular formula C₄H₈O₂ and CAS No. 141-78-6.
| Item | Ethyl Acetate |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Ethyl Acetate |
| IUPAC Name | Ethyl Ethanoate |
| CAS No. | 141-78-6 |
| Molecular Formula | C₄H₈O₂ |
| Condensed Structural Formula | CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ |
| Molecular Weight | 88.11 g/mol |
| Chemical Class | Ester |
| Functional Group | Ester |
What Is the Condensed Structural Formula of Ethyl Acetate?
The condensed structural formula of ethyl acetate is:
CH₃COOCH₂CH₃
It can also be written in a more explicit form as:
CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂–CH₃
The two forms represent the same molecular structure.
| Part of Formula | Represents |
|---|---|
| CH₃– | Methyl group |
| –C(=O)– | Carbonyl group |
| –O– | Ester oxygen |
| –CH₂CH₃ | Ethyl group |
| –C(=O)–O– | Ester functional group |
The condensed form is useful because it shows the main connectivity of the molecule without displaying every individual bond.
What Does CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ Mean?
CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ can be viewed as an acetate portion connected to an ethyl group through an ester linkage.
The key structural arrangement is:
CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂CH₃
The –C(=O)–O– portion identifies the ester functional group found in ethyl acetate.
| Structural Portion | Description |
|---|---|
| CH₃CO– | Acetate side |
| –C(=O)–O– | Ester linkage |
| –CH₂CH₃ | Ethyl side |
Ethyl Acetate Molecular Formula vs Condensed Structural Formula
One common source of confusion is treating C₄H₈O₂ and CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ as the same type of formula.
They are not.
| Formula | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| C₄H₈O₂ | Number of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms |
| CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ | Molecular groups and their connectivity |
| CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂–CH₃ | Connectivity with the carbonyl bond shown more explicitly |
Therefore:
C₄H₈O₂ = Molecular Formula
CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ = Condensed Structural Formula
Is C₄H₈O₂ the Condensed Structural Formula of Ethyl Acetate?
No.
C₄H₈O₂ is the molecular formula of ethyl acetate, while CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ is its condensed structural formula.
This distinction is useful when reviewing product specifications, TDS, SDS, chemical databases, or supplier documentation.
What Functional Group Does Ethyl Acetate Contain?
Ethyl acetate contains an ester functional group.
The general ester structure is:
R–C(=O)–O–R′
For ethyl acetate:
CH₃–C(=O)–O–CH₂CH₃
| Feature | Ethyl Acetate |
|---|---|
| Functional group | Ester |
| Characteristic linkage | –C(=O)–O– |
| Condensed formula | CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ |
| CAS No. | 141-78-6 |
Why Is the Condensed Structural Formula Useful?
The condensed structural formula provides a compact way to communicate molecular connectivity in technical and commercial documents.
It can be used in:
| Application | Example |
|---|---|
| Technical documentation | TDS, product specifications |
| Safety documentation | SDS and chemical identification |
| Chemical databases | Molecular and product records |
| Purchasing | Confirming the requested chemical |
| Distribution | Cross-checking product identity |
For industrial buyers and distributors, the chemical name, CAS number, molecular formula, and condensed structural formula can be used together to identify ethyl acetate accurately.
Ethyl Acetate Chemical Information at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Ethyl Acetate |
| Alternative Name | Ethyl Ethanoate |
| CAS Number | 141-78-6 |
| Molecular Formula | C₄H₈O₂ |
| Condensed Structural Formula | CH₃COOCH₂CH₃ |
| Molecular Weight | 88.11 g/mol |
| Chemical Class | Ester |
| Functional Group | Ester |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the condensed structural formula of ethyl acetate?
CH₃COOCH₂CH₃.
What is the condensed formula for ethyl acetate?
The condensed formula is CH₃COOCH₂CH₃.
What is CH₃COOCH₂CH₃?
It is the condensed structural formula of ethyl acetate (CAS 141-78-6).
Is C₄H₈O₂ the condensed formula of ethyl acetate?
No. C₄H₈O₂ is the molecular formula, not the condensed structural formula.
What functional group does ethyl acetate contain?
Ethyl acetate contains an ester functional group, represented by the –C(=O)–O– linkage.
Summary
The condensed structural formula of ethyl acetate is CH₃COOCH₂CH₃, while its molecular formula is C₄H₈O₂.
The condensed formula provides a compact representation of the molecule's connectivity and highlights its ester functional group. For technical documentation and product identification, it can be used together with Ethyl Acetate, Ethyl Ethanoate, CAS 141-78-6, and C₄H₈O₂.